The Special Rapporteur on Children and Armed Conflict calls on states to take measures to protect children

Aqeel: We must stop financing armed groups and confront the countries involved 

 Ayman Aqil, President of Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights affirmed that what children are exposed to during armed conflicts in the Arab region in particular is something that calls for shame and regret, as the countries involved in conflicts in the region, whether with actual participation or funding, as well as armed groups do not abide by the rules of international law and law The international humanitarian agency in protecting children from the dangers of armed conflict.

The Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict urged all states involved in armed conflicts to follow additional protection measures for children during coalition operations in Yemen and to ensure adherence to the basic principles of international humanitarian law.

During the period covered by the report, many violations of the right of children were committed in countries that have witnessed armed conflicts, including these violations, for example, kidnapping. The rates of child abduction in the period from December 2017 to December 2018 have doubled their rates in previous years, so we find that more than 1,600 children were kidnapped in Somalia at the hands of Al Shabaab, and they were sent to religious schools and training camps and used as soldiers.

The Foundation confirmed its rejection of Israeli practices against the Palestinian people in general and against children in particular according to statistics, that as of October 31, Israel had detained 220 Palestinian children suspected of committing criminal offenses under the military law (usually for throwing stones).

Iranian-backed Houthi forces, pro-Iranian forces, and other armed groups have also used children as soldiers. The United Nations has documented cases of the recruitment and use of boys as young as 11.

Syria’s children have not escaped violence and all kinds of exploitation during the military operations

In the end, Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights agrees with the assertion of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict that all children associated with parties to conflict and who are in the context of security operations should be treated primarily as victims who must be rehabilitated and reintegrated.

At the end of the intervention, Aqeel demanded that the parties to the conflict abide by the rules of international law relating to the protection of children from violence, abuse and exploitation and from the risks of armed conflict.

And also the necessity for all states to abide by and prevent the financing of armed groups that use and recruit children

And taking measures against countries that are proven to be involved in financing the activities of armed terrorist groups, especially those that have resulted in child casualties.

Intervention written to comment on the report of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict